A retinue refers to a group of attendants, servants, or followers accompanying a person of high rank or importance. In biblical times, a retinue often included soldiers, servants, and other aides who provided support and protection to kings, nobles, and other dignitaries. The concept of a retinue is evident in various passages throughout the Bible, illustrating the social and political structures of ancient societies.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, retinues are often associated with kings and leaders. For example, King Solomon's wealth and splendor are described in terms of his extensive retinue. In 1 Kings 10:5, the Queen of Sheba is overwhelmed by the sight of Solomon's wisdom, the house he had built, "the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD." This passage highlights the grandeur and organization of Solomon's court, including his retinue.

Similarly, in 1 Samuel 8:11, when the Israelites demand a king, Samuel warns them about the implications of having a monarch, including the establishment of a royal retinue: "He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots." This warning underscores the burdens that a king's retinue could impose on the people.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of a retinue is less prominent but still present. The Roman centurion mentioned in Matthew 8:9 and Luke 7:8, who seeks Jesus' help to heal his servant, provides insight into the hierarchical structure of authority and the presence of attendants: "For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes; and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it." This passage reflects the military retinue that accompanied Roman officials, illustrating the chain of command and the role of subordinates.

Cultural and Theological Significance

The presence of a retinue in biblical narratives often signifies power, authority, and the social status of the individual being accompanied. It reflects the hierarchical nature of ancient Near Eastern societies, where kings and leaders were supported by a network of attendants and soldiers. The retinue served not only practical purposes, such as protection and administration, but also symbolized the ruler's prestige and influence.

From a theological perspective, the concept of a retinue can be seen as a reflection of divine order and authority. Just as earthly kings had their attendants, God is depicted as the ultimate King, surrounded by heavenly hosts. In passages like Psalm 103:21, the psalmist calls on the angels, "Bless the LORD, all His hosts, you servants who do His will," portraying a celestial retinue that serves and worships God.

In summary, the notion of a retinue in the Bible underscores themes of authority, service, and the social structures of the time. It provides insight into the lives of biblical figures and the cultural context in which they lived, while also offering a glimpse into the divine order as understood in the biblical worldview.(n.) The body of attendants who follow a distinguished person; an entourage; a train of attendants; a suite.4677. Sousanna -- "lily," Susanna, one of the women accompanying ...
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Sousanna Phonetic Spelling: (soo-san'-nah) Short
Definition: Susannah Definition: Susannah, a woman of the retinue of Jesus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4677.htm - 6k2428. chayil -- strength, efficiency, wealth, army
... elite army (1), excellence (1), excellent (2), forces (12), full (1), goods (1),
great (1), might (1), mighty (1), nobly (1), power (2), retinue (2), riches (9 ...
/hebrew/2428.htm - 6k

The Water-Fall
... Here flowing fall,. And chide [128] and call,. As if his liquid, loose retinue
[129] stay'd. ... [129] retinue, the waters regarded as the Stream's troop or following ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxx the water-fall.htm

The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
... ancestry. And then, again, the saints, like monarchs, have a splendid retinue.
Kings and monarchs cannot travel without a deal of state. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the kingly priesthood of the.htm

Chapter l
... So we have rendered: "to servants of his who were physicians." No doubt, the
eminence of Joseph's position called for a very great retinue. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter l.htm

Adonijah
... intoxicated by vanity, set up his own court in rivalry to that of his father, and
when he moved abroad was accompanied by a stately retinue of chariots and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
... all the humiliation of external circumstances], and saw the young child with Mary
his mother [she was the only attendant in this King's retinue"the retinue ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xiii eastern wise-men or magi.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... Their authority was gradually extended by the union of households, whose retinue
of servants was often large, and their wealth very great. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the ...
... soothe your ear, and the most delicious food and generous wines in a rich variety
should regale your taste: if he should give you a splendid retinue of people ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse v of the incapacity.htm

The Exile Continued.
... He pleads urgent secret business for Saul as a reason for his appearance with a
slender retinue, and unarmed; and the priest, after some feeble scruples ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

Set at Liberty.
... brigandage, pillage, and bloodshed. It is not difficult to imagine that
sumptuous and splendid retinue. Roman soldiers and officials ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiv set at liberty.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... Yea, where should we place the head and supreme protector of all thieves, the Holy
Chair at Rome with all its retinue, which has grabbed by theft the wealth of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not steal.htm

Retinue (4 Occurrences)
... (n.) The body of attendants who follow a distinguished person; an entourage; a train
of attendants; a suite. Multi-Version Concordance Retinue (4 Occurrences). ...
/r/retinue.htm - 7k

Court (172 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The collective body of persons composing the retinue of a sovereign or person
high in authority; all the surroundings of a sovereign in his regal state ...
/c/court.htm - 47k

Retention

/r/retention.htm - 8k

Retire (6 Occurrences)

/r/retire.htm - 9k

Omnipotence (2 Occurrences)
... God as the King surrounded and followed by the angelic hosts, and since the might
of an oriental king is measured by the splendor of his retinue, as of great ...
/o/omnipotence.htm - 24k

Gehazi (14 Occurrences)
... As soon as the Syrian general had taken his departure with his retinue from the
house of Elisha, the covetous spirit of Gehazi, which had been awakened by the ...
/g/gehazi.htm - 19k

Taber
... Nineveh given in Nahum 2:7. The queen (perhaps the city personified) is dishonored
and led into ignominious captivity, followed by a mourning retinue of "maids ...
/t/taber.htm - 7k

Train (17 Occurrences)
... (n.) The after part of a gun carriage; the trail. 14. (n.) The tail of a bird. 15.
(n.) A number of followers; a body of attendants; a retinue; a suite. 16. ...
/t/train.htm - 14k

Mahanaim (15 Occurrences)
... Two camps, a place near the Jabbok, beyond Jordan, where Jacob was met by the "angels
of God," and where he divided his retinue into "two hosts" on his return ...
/m/mahanaim.htm - 18k

Moses (9295 Occurrences)
... Jacob and his retinue were accustomed to a shepherd's life, and on their arrival
in Egypt were received with favour by the king, who assigned them the "best of ...
/m/moses.htm - 53k

Who was Sarah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was the Queen of Sheba? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Naaman in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Retinue: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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